Device for detachably linking a wiper blade with a wiper arm

ABSTRACT

A device is proposed which is used to detachably connect a wiper blade ( 12 ) to clean windows, particularly of motor vehicles, to a driven wiper arm ( 10 ) featuring a wiper blade holder ( 50  or  150 ), whereby the wiper blade ( 12 ) that can be placed on the window ( 20 ) with a long-stretched-out, rubber elastic wiper strip ( 18 ) features a band-like, long-stretched-out elastic supporting element ( 16 ) that is curved in the longitudinal direction over its band surfaces ( 15, 17 ) on whose lower, concave band surface ( 17 ) the wiper strip ( 18 ) is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis. On the outer convex band surface ( 15 ) of the supporting element ( 16 ) sits a connecting element ( 26 ), which features two parallel wall surfaces ( 36 ) mat are aligned in a vertical plane on the band surface and extend in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade and that a pivot pin ( 42 ) projects from each wall surface, whereby the longitudinal axes of the two pivot pins are aligned with one another. An especially simple embodiment of the articulated connection with an integrated connecting device is achieved if an adapter ( 66  or  166 ) that can move in a pendulum fashion is positioned on the two pivot pins of the connecting element ( 26 ), and said adapter features means to connect to the wiper blade holder ( 50  or  150 ) of the wiper arm ( 10 ).

STATE OF THE ART

The invention concerns a connecting device in accordance species of theindependent patent claim. In the case of the addressed wiper blade, thesupporting element is supposed to guarantee the most uniform possibledistribution of wiper blade application force on the window originatingfrom the wiper arm for the entire wiper field being covered by the wiperblade. Due to the corresponding curvature of the relaxed supportingelement—i.e., when the wiper blade is not adjacent to the window—theends of the wiper strip that are placed completely against the windowduring wiper blade operation are loaded by the supporting element mat isstressed vis-a-vis the window even when the radii of curvature ofspherically curved vehicle windows change with every wiper bladeposition. As a result the curvature of the wiper blade must be somewhatgreater than the greatest curvature measured in the wiper field on theto-be-wiped window. The supporting element thereby replaces theexpensive supporting bracket design that has two spring rails arrangedin the wiper strip for transverse reinforcement of the rubber elasticwiper strip, as is the practice with conventional wiper blades (DE1505257 A1). A wiper blade with such a supporting element is supposed to becaptively attached to the wiper arm in a simple manner and be able to beremoved from it again.

In order to connect a wiper blade embodied in this manner to the wiperarm, the wiper blade must be provided with a specially embodiedconnecting element, which can be used to connect it in the requiredmanner to the wiper arm. In addition, the wall surfaces of theconnecting element should provide proper guidance for the wiper blade,when it is slid from the wiper arm transverse to its longitudinalextension over the to-be-wiped window, because they are adjacent to thewiper arm's guidance surfaces. Because the normally spherically curvedwindshield of a motor vehicle does not represent a section of aspherical surface, the wiper blade must be able to constantly adapt tothe respective position and progression of the window surface vis-a-visthe wiper arm during its wiper operation. For this reason, asmooth-running articulated connection between the wiper arm and thewiper blade that enables an oscillation motion around the pivot pin axisis required.

The invention starts with a connecting device according to the speciesof Claim 1. With a known device of this type (DE 19 72 9862-1A1), thetwo pivot pins are each provided with two opposing surfaces on theirlateral surfaces. This makes it possible to the put the wiper blade withthis pin in place in the wiper arm's rest recess, which recesses haveopen edges via the insertion channels that are coordinated with thedistance of the pin surface from one another. To connect the wiper bladeto the wiper arm or to detach the wiper blade from the wiper arm,however, the wiper blade must be turned around the pivot pin axis in aposition transverse to the wiper arm extension so that the pins can bebrought through the insertion channels into their rest recesses and themounted wiper blade can be held in its operating position against thewindow in a captive manner on the wiper arm. To do this, however, thewiper arm must be folded away from the window. However, in manyapplication cases, it is not possible to fold the wiper arm like this,because the wiper arm in its resting position on the window edge matfacilitates the assembly process is under the covering of the vehiclebody, for example, or because the arrangement of the folding joint issupposed to be dispensed with for cost reasons.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

In the case of the connecting device in accordance with the inventionwith the characterizing features of Claim 1, the adapter featuring theconnecting means on the wiper-blade side must first be connected to thewiper blade so mat it is a part of the wiper blade. The embodiment of aspecial joint between the wiper arm and the wiper blade is therebyeliminated and the functions of the articulated connection and theconnecting means are separated from one another and therefore can beoptimized without compromise. To develop the holding connection betweenthe wiper blade and the wiper arm, it is only necessary for holdingand/or locking means arranged on the adapter to be engaged withcorresponding counter holding means or counter locking means of thewiper arm. Its embodiment can take place, for example, in such a waythat the connection between the wiper arm and the wiper blade isachieved by a sliding movement of the wiper blade in the longitudinaldirection of the wiper arm, whereby the wiper arm does not have to belifted from the window or only very negligibly.

A particularly small design of the articulated connection between thewiper arm and wiper blade and one where the connecting device does notimpair vision from the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle isproduced if the distance between the two wall surfaces of the connectingelement is smaller than the width of the supporting element.

Thus, in accordance with a design of the invention mat is particularlysuited for manufacturing, the two wall surfaces of the connectingelement are formed by the outside surfaces on the T-foot of a componentwhose cross-section is T-shaped at least in sections, and whose T-headfacing the supporting element is connected to it.

This type of connection can be achieved cost effectively by theconnecting element being provided with claw-like extensions on thelongitudinal edges of the T-head facing away from each other, which griparound the outer longitudinal edges of the supporting element.

Additional advantages related to manufacturing can be achieved by theconnecting element when seen in cross-section, having two essentiallyrectangular halves, which form the T-foot with an adjacent angle leg andwhose other angle legs together form the T-head.

In this connection, it is expedient if the two metal halves on theT-foot are connected with one another as a single piece.

In the case of special application cases, it can be advantageous forcost reasons if the connecting element is fabricated of a plastic,because then the pivot pins can be formed directly on the connectingelement.

In another development of the invention where the adapter essentiallyhas a U-shaped cross-section, whose two U-legs grip over the T-foot ofthe connecting element laterally so they fit whose U-base covers theT-foot of the connecting element and in each of the two U-legs anopen-edge, slot-like recess is arranged towards their free ends, whoseslot ends form rest receptacles for the pivot pins, large guidancesurfaces are produced between the adapter that belongs to the wiperblade and the connecting element connected to the supporting element ofthe wiper blade, thereby achieving a connection free of play thatassures a good wiper image.

Securing the adapter on the articulated bolt of the connecting elementeven if the wiper arm is lifted up from the window is produced by theadapter being fabricated of an elastic plastic and by the slot-likerecesses having elastically expandable narrowings, limiting the restreceptacle.

In order to improve the articulated support guidance, the adapter isprovided with collar-like projections surrounding the rest receptacleson the outer sides of its U-legs facing away from each other.

With the intention of a particularly small articulated connection freeof play, the wiper blade holder of the wiper arm grips over the adapteron its U-legs with side cheeks so that it fits, whereby open-edgerecesses are arranged in the side cheeks for the collar-like projectionsof the adapter.

So that the wiper blade cannot be detached unintentionally from thewiper arm or wiper blade, the recesses features an L-shaped form,whereby the one L-leg has an open edge towards the supporting element ofthe wiper blade and the other L-leg extends towards the free end of thewiper arm, whereby the width of the recesses is coordinated with theoutside diameter of the collar-tike projections of the adapter.

For the purpose of a final operationally reliable locking of the wiperblade on the wiper arm, the adapter is provided with a tongue that iselastically deflectable against a restoring force, on which a lockingshoulder is embodied, which is aligned transverse to the wiper blade andin a vertical plane on the supporting element, whereby the lockingshoulder is assigned a wiper-arm-mounted counter locking shoulder andwhereby the locking shoulder cooperates with the counter lockingshoulder when the collar-like projections of the adapter are adjacent tothe closed ends of the other L-legs of the recesses in the side cheeksof the wiper blade holder.

An unintentional activation of the tongue in the sense of detaching thesafety connection between the wiper blade and the wiper arm is avoidedif the tongue is connected with at least one U-leg of the adapter on itsside facing the drive side of the wiper arm and, in addition, if thelocking shoulder projects on the side of the tongue facing away from thewiper blade and said locking shoulder is assigned a wiper-arm-mountedcounter locking shoulder.

On the other hand, a user friendly embodiment of the invention isproduced if the tongue is arranged on the U-base of the adapter andextends towards the free end of the wiper arm, whereby the counterlocking shoulder is embodied on the front side of the wiper arm and thetongue projects over the free end of the wiper arm with its lockingshoulder.

In order to prevent a disadvantageous relative rocking movement aroundthe articulated axis between the wiper arm and the adapter, it hasproven to be expedient if the adapter is provided with a lateraloverhang at least on one U-leg at a distance from the collar-likeprojections, and said overhang is assigned to a recess provided on theside cheeks of the wiper blade holder.

To protect the articulated connection from dirt, shield-like coveringsprojecting laterally over the projections are arranged on thecollar-like projections at a distance from the U-legs of the adapter.

The foregoing explanations therefore yield an entire series of features,which contribute to the construction of an articulated connectionbetween the wiper arm and wiper blade that is easy to operate,cost-effective and free of play. One of the components that is requiredfor this—namely the connecting element—is embodied in accordance withthe precharacterizing clause of Claim 20. A known connecting element ofthis type (DE 19 72 98 64.8A1) features an articulated bolt on only oneside of the T-foot for connecting to the wiper arm. This thereforeresults in an articulated connection placed outside the longitudinalmiddle axis of the wiper blade, which can prove to be disadvantageouswith respect to the application force originating from the wiper arm inthe case of certain window configurations. In this case, the two wallsurfaces of the T-foot that face away from one another also do not serveas guidance surfaces, which cooperate with corresponding countersurfaces of the wiper arm during wiper operation. In this case, wiperblade guidance is assumed alone by the small-surface, one-sided ringcollar of the articulated bolt. However, if the structural element isdeveloped in accordance with the characterizing features of Claim 20,the application force originating from the wiper arm will be transmitteduniformly cm both pins and excellent wiper blade guidance will also beachieved during wiper operation

Additional advantageous further developments and designs of theinvention are disclosed in the following description of the exemplaryembodiments depicted in the associated drawing.

DRAWING

The drawings show: FIG. 1—A side view of a wiper blade linked to thefree end of a wiper arm; FIG. 2—A side view of a connecting element thatcan be solidly connected with the wiper arm; FIG. 3—A section along lineIII-III through the connecting element according to FIG. 2; FIG. 4—Anexploded representation of the individual elements belonging to a firstembodiment of the connecting device; FIG. 5—A cross-section along lineV-V in FIG. 4 through the one individual element serving as adapter,FIG. 6—A section along line VI-VI through the arrangement according toFIG. 5; FIG. 7—A longitudinal section through the structural elementsaccording to FIG. 4 that are joined together for the articulatedconnection; FIG. 8—A longitudinal section of another structural elementaccording to FIG. 4 serving as wiper blade holder; FIG. 9—A longitudinalsection through the structural element according to FIG. 4 serving asthe adapter; FIG. 10—Another embodiment of an articulated connection inaccordance with the invention in an arrangement according to FIG. 4;FIG. 11—A longitudinal section according to FIG. 7 through thearrangement according to FIG. 10; FIG. 12—A longitudinal according toFIG. 8 through the wiper blade holder according to FIG. 11 and FIG. 13—Alongitudinal section according to FIG. 9 through the adapter accordingto FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the free end of a wiper arm 10 driven fromits other end (not shown), to which a wiper blade 12 is linked via anarticulated connection 13 in such a way that it can oscillate in thedirection of the double arrow 14. The wiper blade has a band-like,long-stretched-out, elastic supporting element 16 that is curved overits band surfaces, on whose lower concave band surface 17 facing thewindow 20 a likewise band-like, long-stretched-out, rubber elastic wiperstrip 18 is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis. The to-be-wipedsurface of the motor vehicle window is indicated in FIG. 1 by adash-dotted line 20. Since line 20 is supposed to represent the greatestcurvature of the window surface, it is clearly evident that thecurvature of the still relaxed wiper blade 12, which is adjacent to thewindow 20 at its two ends, is greater than the maximum window curvature.Under an application force that acts via the wiper arm 10 in thedirection of arrow 22, the wiper blade applies its wiper strip 18 overits entire length to the window surface 20. In doing so, tension buildsup in the supporting element 16 fabricated of metal and this tension isresponsible for proper application of the wiper strip 18 over its entirelength on the window as well as for a uniform distribution of theapplication force (arrow 22).

Because the normally spherically curved window does not represent asection of a spherical surface, the wiper blade 12 must be able toconstantly adapt to the respective position and progression of thewindow surface vis-a-vis the wiper arm 10 during its wiper operation.For this reason, a smooth-running articulated connection between thewiper arm and the wiper blade that enables an oscillation motion (doublearrow 14) around the articulation axis 24 is required. The arrangementof the articulation axis or oscillation axis is made in this regard sothat it is aligned transverse to the longitudinal extension of the wiperarm 10 and transverse to the direction of the application force (arrow22). Two exemplary embodiments of this type of articulated connectionare supposed to be explained in greater detail in the following on thebasis of FIGS. 4 through 9 and 10 through 13.

A connecting element 26 (FIGS. 2 and 3) that essentially has a T-shapedcross-section also belongs to the wiper blade. It has, therefore, aT-foot 28 and a T-head 30, whose longitudinal extension is limitedhowever to two comparably short sections tying at a distance from oneanother. Claw-like projections 32 are arranged on the longitudinal edgesof the T-head 30 facing away from each other, whose function will bediscussed in more detail later. As can be seen in FIG. 3 in particular,the T-shape of the connecting element 26 is produced in the exemplaryembodiment by a sheet metal part being folded in such a way that theT-foot 28 is formed by two adjacent sheet metal sections 34, which intheir further progression, change into the bent T-head parts 32. Thisresults in two symmetrically arranged halves, which are connected withone another as a single piece by the fold at the T-foot 28. These twoadjacent essentially rectangular halves of the connecting element 26thus form the T-foot 28 with their one angle leg 34 and the other anglelegs 35 together produce the T-head 30. The two outer surfaces 36 of theT-foot 28 facing away from each other lie at a distance 38 from eachother that is smaller than the width 46 (FIG. 4) of the supportingelement 16. The T-foot 28 of the connecting element 26 penetrated in abore hole 27 in its longitudinal middle section by an articulated bolt42, which is permanently connected with the connecting element and whosetwo ends project out of the T-foot 28 on both sides (FIG. 3). It is alsoconceivable, however, to replace the articulated bolt or its two endsprojecting out of the walls or the outside surfaces 36 of the angle leg34 or pivot pins 43 with two separate, short pins, which for their partcan be formed by numerous and varied methods known to the expert, e.g.,the arrangement of supports, embossing marks, extrusion pegs, etc

The first embodiment of the articulated connection between the wiper arm10 and the wiper blade 12 is depicted in FIG. 4 in an explodedrepresentation. In this regard, the representation is limited to theareas of the wiper blade 12 that are necessary to understand thearticulated connection 13. This FIG. also makes evident how theconnecting element 26 is connected to the supporting element 16 of thewiper blade 12. The wiper blade has, as a supporting element, twoparallel spring rails 44 that are positioned in the wiper strip's 18longitudinal grooves, curved over their band surfaces in thelongitudinal direction and which project out of the longitudinal groovesat least in the longitudinal middle section with outer edge strips. Theconnecting element 26 placed here encompasses, from the outer convexband surface 15 of the supporting element 16 with its claw-likeprojections 32, the outer edge strips 45 of the spring rails 44 facingaway from one another and projecting out of the longitudinal grooves,whereby a clamping force originating from the claws 32 and or weldjoints is responsible for a non-detachable connection between the springrails 44 and the connecting element 26. Additional fastening methods arewell-known to the expert This connecting element 26 is thus a part ofthe wiper blade 12. When examining the wiper blade 12 in FIG. 4 it isalso clear that the distance 38 between the two outer wall surfaces 36(FIG. 3) is smaller than the width 46 of the supporting element 16.

The wiper arm 10 is provided with a wiper blade holder 50 on its freeend 48 facing away from its driven side (FIG. 1). The longitudinalsection through the wiper blade holder depicted in FIG. 8 and thesimultaneously examination of the wiper blade holder according to FIG. 4show that it has a U-shaped cross-section. Therefore, it has a U-base 52in this area and two U-legs or cheeks 54 arranged at a distance from andparallel to one another, in each of which a recess 56 with a L-shapedform is arranged. The one L-leg 58 of the recess 56 has an open edgetowards the supporting element 16 (FIG. 4), while the other L-leg 60extends towards the free end of the wiper arm 10 or the wiper bladeholder 50. On the side of the recess 56 facing away from the free end ofthe wiper blade holder 50. a stop shoulder 62 extends at a distance fromthis recess into the space of the wiper blade holder 50 remainingbetween the cheeks 54 (FIG. 8). The stop shoulder 62 is embodied on theend of a bent continuation 64 of the U-leg 54 that is directed inward,and points to the free end of the wiper blade. It is clearly evident inconnection with FIG. 4 that a longitudinal half of the wiper bladeholder 50 is depicted in FIG. 8. Since the plane of the longitudinalsection represents a plane of symmetry, it is also clear that the otherlongitudinal half of the wiper blade holder 50 that is not shown isembodied in a mirror image of FIG. 8.

FIGS. 4 through 6 and 9 show the structure of an adapter 66, which makespossible the articulated connection of the wiper blade 12 to itsconnecting element 26 on the wiper blade holder 50 of the wiper arm 10.When examining FIG. 9 it should be noted that the longitudinal sectionalso lies in a plane of symmetry so that the other longitudinal halfthat is missing (but depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5) has an embodiment thatis a mirror image corresponding to FIG. 9. In addition, the figuresmentioned show the U-shaped structure of the adapter 66. The distance 68(FIG. 5) between its two U-legs 70 is selected in such a way thatsmooth-running guidance of the adapter that is free of play to theT-foot 28 of the connecting element 26 is produced if it is put in itsworking position. In this working position, the U-base 72 covers theT-foot 28 of the connecting element 26. Arranged in each of the twoU-legs 70 of the adapter 66 are slot-like recesses 74 that are congruentwith one another and have an open edge towards the free end of theU-leg, whereby rest receptacles 76 for the articulated bolts 42 of theconnecting element 26 are embodied on the ends of the slots. In order toguarantee an operationally reliable hold of the adapter 66 on thearticulated bolt 42, the slot-like recesses 74 have elasticallyexpandable narrowings 78 in the area of the rest receptacles 76. Theslot-like recesses 74 form insertion channels, via which the pin-likearticulated bolts 42 can be placed in their rest receptacles 76. Theexpandability of the narrowings 78 is achieved in the exemplaryembodiment by the fact that the adapter 66 is fabricated of an elasticplastic. As FIGS. 5 and 6 in particular show, collar-like projections 80are arranged on the outer sides of the U-legs 70 of the adapter 66facing away from each other, which collar-like projections encircle therest receptacles in a ring-like manner over at least 180° (FIG. 6). Thediameter 82 of the collar-like projections 80 is coordinated with thewidth 5″ of the recess 56. Arranged on the free ends of the collar-likeprojections 80 are shield-like coverings 84 projecting laterally beyondthe projections 80, as is particularly evident in FIGS. 4 and 5. Thedistance 86 between the outer sides of the U-legs 70 and the inner wallsof the coverings 84 facing them is coordinated with the thickness 55(FIG. 8) of the cheeks 54 of the wiper blade holder 50. On its endfacing the drive-side end of the wiper arm 10, the adapter 66 isconnected as a single piece with a blade-like tongue 88 that iselastically deflectable against a restoring force, whose blade surfacesare approximately parallel to the plane of the supporting element 16. Onthe blade surface facing the U-base 72 of the adapter 66, the tongue 88features a tooth-like overhang 90 on whose side facing away from theadapter body a locking shoulder 92 is embodied. The locking shoulder 92extends transverse to the wiper blade 10 and in a vertical plane on thesupporting element 16.

To prepare to connect the wiper blade 12 to the wiper arm 10, theadapter 66 is first placed on the structural element 26. To do so, theadapter 66 is put on the T-foot 28 of the structural element 26 in thedirection of arrow 67, whereby the pin-like articulated bolts 42 reachtheir rest receptacles 76 via the slot-like recesses 74 (FIG. 6) afterpassing through the narrowing 78. In this assembly position, the adapter66 is able to oscillate around the articulated axis 24 formed by thearticulated bolts 42 in the direction of the double arrow 14 (FIG. 1) bythe angular measurement required to guarantee the wiper blade's wiperoperation. The adapter 66 now forms a part of the wiper blade 12. Forconnection to the wiper arm 10, the wiper blade along with its adapter66 is moved against arrow 67 (FIG. 4) towards the wiper blade holder 50in such a way that the adapter 66 reaches between the U-legs or cheeks54 of the wiper blade holder 50. In this process, the collar-likeprojections 80 enter the recess 56 of the wiper blade holder 50, wherebythe cheeks 54 dip between the U-legs 70 of the adapter 66 and theshield-like coverings 84 of the projections 80. When the L-shaped formof the recess 76 limits this assembly movement directed against arrow67, the wiper blade is pulled in the direction of arrow 94 (FIG. 4) tothe free end 48 of the wiper blade holder 50 until the collar-likeprojections 80 are adjacent to the closed end of the other L-leg 60 ofthe recess 56. In the final or working position of the wiper blade 12 onthe wiper arm 10 that is now achieved, the tongue 88 mat deflectedtowards the supporting element 16 of the wiper blade 12 via thecontinuation 64 during the assembly process in the direction of arrow 87springs back into its initial position, whereby the locking shoulder 92embodied on the overhang 90 cooperates with the stop shoulder 62 on thecontinuation 64. The tongue 88 is thereby protected beneath the wiperarm 10. In order to guarantee a proper working position of the wiperblade 12 on the wiper arm 10 that is free of play, it is necessary tocarefully coordinate the distance 96 between the articulated axis 24 andthe stop shoulder 62 on the continuation 64 of the wiper arm with thedistance 98 between the articulated axis 24 and the locking shoulder 92of the adapter 66. If the wiper blade is supposed to be detached fromthe wiper arm, the tongue 88 only has to be deflected far enough in thedirection of arrow 87 for the locking shoulder 92 to release the stopshoulder 62. After that the wiper blade can first be slid against thedirection of arrow 94 and then be removed from the wiper arm 10 in thedirection of arrow 67.

In the case of the other embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS.10 through 13, both the structure of the wiper arm 110 or its wiperblade holder and the structure of the adapter 166 essentially correspondto the structure of the wiper blade holder 50 or of the adapter 66 inthe first embodiment described above. For this reason, all developmentsthat were already described there and adopted unmodified are designatedby a reference number that is larger by 100 than the reference numbersuse in the first embodiment. In addition, the description of the secondexemplary embodiment of the invention is restricted essentially todetails where the second embodiment deviates from the first embodimentalready described.

Thus, the wiper arm 110 has an opening 200 (FIG. 10) on the transversewall 111 on its free end, through which the U-base 152 and the partialareas of the U-legs or cheeks 154 terminate with a forepart 162 and theforepart 162 of the U-base forms a stop shoulder on the wiper-arm side.This stop shoulder 162 takes the place of the stop shoulder 62 accordingto the first embodiment. In addition, recesses 156 are arranged in theU-legs 154 of the wiper blade holder 150 and these recesses also have aL-shaped configuration and thus each feature two L-legs 158 and 160. Onthe side facing away from the forepart 162, the wiper blade holder 150has a open-edged slot 202 in each of its U-legs 154, which slot extendsin the longitudinal direction of the wiper arm and thus also in thedirection of the other L-leg 160. The opening of the slots 202 facesaway from the forepart 162. Instead of the tongue 88 in the case of thefirst embodiment, in the case of the adapter 160, a tongue 204 that iselastically deflectable against a restoring force is arranged on the endof the adapter 166, which, after the wiper blade 12 is successfullyassembled with the wiper arm, lies in the area of the free end of thewiper arm 110. It is arranged as an extension on the U-base 172 of theadapter 166 that is fabricated of an elastic plastic Situated on itsupper tongue surface facing the U-base 172 is a tooth-like overhang 190extending transverse to the longitudinal extension of the wiper arm 110and on which a locking shoulder 192 aligned in a vertical plane on thesupporting element is embodied, which shoulder points away from the freeend 148 of the wiper arm 110. In addition, the adapter is provided withstrip-like overhangs 206 on its two U-legs 170, which are assigned tothe slots 202 in the U-legs 154 and are arranged on the outer surfacesof the U-legs 170 that are facing away from one another.

To assemble the wiper blade on the wiper arm, one proceeds as follows:First, the adapter 166 is placed on the connecting element 26 (whichcorresponds to the connecting dement already described) in the directionof arrow 208 in the manner already described. In this process, theT-foot 28 of the structural element 26 reaches between the U-legs 170 ofthe adapter 166 and the pin-like articulated bolts 42 enter theslot-like recesses 174 in the U-legs 170 (FIG. 13) until they reachtheir rest receptacles 176 via the narrowings 178. In this position, theadapter 166 is now held captively on the wiper blade 12 by the action ofthe elastically expandable narrowings 178, of which only the connectingelement 26 is depicted in FIG. 10, however. Here, just like with thefirst embodiment already described, coordination between the adapter 166and the connecting element 26 is accomplished in such a way that theadapter can oscillate vis-a-vis the connecting element 26 around thearticulated axis 24 formed by the articulated bolts 42 in the directionof the double arrow 14 in FIG. 1. The adapter 166 now belongs to thewiper blade, which can now be detachably connected to the wiper arm 110or its wiper blade holder 150. To do so, the wiper blade is joined withthe wiper blade holder 150 in the manner already described so that thecollar-like projections 180 reach into the L-shaped recess 156. When theintermediate position already described is achieved with this assemblystep, the wiper blade is pulled in the direction of arrow 194 (FIG. 10)until the collar-like projections 180 hit the end edge of the otherL-leg 160. In this position, the tongue, which was elastically deflectedvia the U-base 152 in the direction of arrow 108 during placement of theadapter 166 in the wiper blade holder 150 in the direction of arrow 191,exits from the opening 200 of the wiper blade holder 150 and springsback against arrow direction 191 into its initial position, whereby thelocking shoulder 192 of the overhang 190 cooperates with the forepart162 of the wiper blade holder 150 without any play. It is also importantwith this embodiment that the distance 1% from the articulated axis 24to the forepart 162 of the wiper blade holder 150 be coordinated exactlywith the distance 198 of the articulated axis 24 to the locking shoulder192 of the overhang 190 of the adapter 166. During the assembly movementin the direction of the arrow 194, the strip-like overhangs 206 of theadapter 166 then also simultaneously enter their assigned slot-likerecesses 202 in the legs 154 of the wiper blade holder 150 and therebysecure the adapter 166 from an undesired pendulum motion in the wiperblade holder 150 around the articulated axis 24.

Disassembling the wiper blade from the wiper arm takes place in themanner already indicated after the tongue 204 has been deflected farenough in the direction of arrow 191 (FIG. 11) for the forepart 162 ofthe wiper blade holder 150 that serves as a stop shoulder to bereleased.

Common to both exemplary embodiments is that an adapter 66 or 166 ispositioned on the two pin-like articulated bolts 42 that can move in apendulum fashion around their longitudinal axes 24, and this adapterfeatures means to connect to the wiper blade holder 50 or 150 of thewiper arm 10. The required pendulum motion between the wiper arm and thewiper blade occurs therefore between the adapter 26 locked with thewiper arm and the connecting element 66.

1-26. (canceled)
 27. A device detachably connecting a wiper blade (12),to clean windows, to a driven wiper arm (10) featuring a wiper bladeholder (50 or 150) and the wiper blade that can be placed on a window(20) with an elongated, rubber elastic wiper strip (18), the wiper bladefeaturing a band-like, elongated elastic supporting element (16) that iscurved in a longitudinal direction over its band surfaces (15, 17), on alower, concave band surface (17), the wiper strip (18) is arrangedparallel to a longitudinal axis and, on an outer, convex band surface, aconnecting element (26) sits, the connecting element (26) featuring twoparallel wall surfaces (36) generally parallel to a plane generallyperpendicular to the band surface and extending in the longitudinaldirection of the wiper blade, whereby a pivot pin (42) projects fromeach wall surface and whereby longitudinal axes of the pivot pins arealigned, characterized in that an adapter (66 or 166) is positioned onthe pivot pins (42) of the connecting element (26) to move in a pendulumfashion, the adapter (66 or 166) having U-shape with a U-base providinga closed end and a pair of U-legs extending from the U-base to anopposite open end, when positioned on the connecting element (26), theU-base covering a portion of the connecting element (26) facing awayfrom a wiping portion of the wiper strip (18) and the U-legs extendingtowards and the open end facing towards the wiping portion of the wiperstrip (18), the U-legs each defining a recess extending from the openend and toward the U-base, the adapter (66 or 166) being connected tothe connecting element (26) by moving the pivot pins (42) in the recessin the adjacent U-leg from the open end and towards the U-base, and saidadapter features means to connect to the wiper blade holder (50 or 150)of the wiper arm (10).
 28. The device according to claim 27,characterized in that a distance (38) between the two wall surfaces (36)is smaller than a width (46) of the supporting element (16).
 29. Thedevice according to claim 27, characterized in that the two wallsurfaces (36) are formed by outside surfaces on a T-foot (28) of theconnecting element (26), the connecting element (26) having a T-shapedcross-section, at least in sections, and a T-head (30) facing thesupporting element (16) and connected to the supporting element (16).30. The device according to claim 29, characterized in that theconnecting element (26) is provided with claw-like extensions (32) onlongitudinal edges of the T-head (30) facing away from each other, theclaw-like extensions gripping around associated outer longitudinal edgesof the supporting element (16).
 31. The device according to claim 29,characterized in that the connecting element (26), in cross-section, hastwo essentially rectangular halves forming the T-foot with an adjacentangle leg and having other angle legs together forming the T-head (30).32. The device according to claim 31, characterized in that the twohalves on the T-foot (28) are connected as a single piece.
 33. Thedevice according to claim 29, characterized in that the connectingelement (26) is fabricated of a plastic.
 34. The device according toclaim 29, characterized in that the U-legs (70 or 170) grip over theT-foot (28) of the connecting element (26) laterally, and the U-base(72) covers the T-foot (28) of the connecting element (26), and thateach recess is an open-edge, slot-like recess having slot ends formingrest receptacles (76 or 176) for the pivot pins (42).
 35. The deviceaccording to claim 34, characterized in that the adapter (66 or 166) isfabricated of an elastic plastic and that the slot-like recesses (74)have elastically expandable narrowings (78) limiting the restreceptacles.
 36. The device according to claim 34, characterized in thatthe adapter (66 or 166) is provided with collar-like projections (80)surrounding the rest receptacles (76 or 176) on outer surfaces of theU-legs (70 or 170).
 37. A wiper blade assembly to clean windows, with awiper blade (12) with an elongated, rubber elastic wiper strip (18) anda band-like, elongated elastic supporting element (16) that is curved ina longitudinal direction over band surfaces (15, 17), on a lower,concave band surface (17), the wiper strip (18) is arranged parallel toa longitudinal axis and, on a convex band surface, a connecting element(26) sits, the connecting element (26) featuring two parallel wallsurfaces (36) generally parallel to a plane generally perpendicular tothe band surface and extending in the longitudinal direction of thewiper blade, whereby a pivot pin (42) projects from each wall surfaceand whereby longitudinal axes of the pivot pins are aligned,characterized in that an adapter (66, 166) is positioned on the pivotpins (42) of the connecting element (26) to move in a pendulum fashion,the adapter (66 or 166) having U-shape with a U-base providing a closedend and a pair of U-legs extending from the U-base to an opposite openend, when positioned on the connecting element (26), the U-base coveringa portion of the connecting element (26) facing away from a wipingportion of the wiper strip (18) and the U-legs extending towards and theopen end facing towards the wiping portion of the wiper strip (18), theU-legs each defining a recess extending from the open end and toward theU-base, the adapter (66 or 166) being connected to the connectingelement (26) by moving the pivot pins (42) in the recess in the adjacentU-leg from the open end and towards the U-base, and said adapterfeatures means to connect to a wiper blade holder (50, 150) of a wiperarm (10).
 38. The assembly according to claim 37, characterized in thata distance (38) between the two wall surfaces (36) is smaller than awidth (46) of the supporting element (16).
 39. The assembly according toclaim 37, characterized in that the two wall surfaces (36) are formed byoutside surfaces on a T-foot (28) of the connecting element (26), theconnecting element (26) having a T-shaped cross-section, at least insections, and a T-head (30) facing the supporting element (16) andconnected to the supporting element (16).
 40. The assembly according toclaim 39, characterized in that the connecting element (26) is providedwith claw-like extensions (32) on longitudinal edges of the T-head (30)facing away from each other, the claw-like extensions gripping aroundassociated outer longitudinal edges of the supporting element (16). 41.The assembly according to claim 39, characterized in that the connectingelement (26), in cross-section, has two essentially rectangular halvesforming the T-foot with an adjacent angle leg and having other anglelegs together forming the T-head (30).
 42. The assembly according toclaim 41, characterized in that the two halves on the T-foot (28) areconnected as a single piece.
 43. The assembly according to claim 39,characterized in that the connecting element (26) is fabricated of aplastic.
 44. A wiper arm assembly for use in a wiper device todetachably connect a wiper arm (10) featuring a wiper blade holder (50or 150) to a wiper blade (12), to clean windows, the wiper blade (12),that can be placed on a window (20) with an elongated, rubber elasticwiper strip (18), featuring a band-like, elongated elastic supportingelement (16) that is curved in a longitudinal direction over bandsurfaces (15, 17), on a lower, concave band surface (17), the wiperstrip (18) is arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis and, on an outer,convex band surface a connecting element (26) sits, the connectingelement (26) featuring two parallel wall surfaces (36) generallyparallel to a plane generally perpendicular to the band surface andextend in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade, whereby a pivotpin (42) projects from each wall surface and whereby longitudinal axesof the pivot pins are aligned, characterized in that the assemblyincludes the wiper blade holder (50 or 150) and an adapter (66 or 166)positionable on the pivot pins (42) of the connecting element (26) tomove in a pendulum fashion, said adapter featuring means to connect tothe wiper blade holder (50 or 150) of the wiper arm (10), the means toconnect including the wiper blade holder (50 or 150) of the wiper arm(10) gripping over the adapter (66) with side cheeks having open-edgerecesses (56 or 156) arranged in the side cheeks (54) for collar-likeprojections (80) of the adapter, the recesses in the side cheeks of thewiper blade holder (50 or 150) featuring an L-shaped form, whereby, whenconnected to the wiper blade (12), one L-leg has an open edge towardsthe supporting element of the wiper blade and another L-leg (60) extendstowards a free end of the wiper arm and a width (57) of the recesses(56) is coordinated with an outside diameter (82) of the collar-likeprojections (80) of the adapter, and the adapter (66, 166) beingprovided with a tongue (88, 204) that is elastically deflectable againsta restoring force and on which a locking shoulder is embodied, thelocking shoulder being aligned transverse to the wiper blade and in avertical plane, the locking shoulder being associated with awiper-arm-mounted counter locking shoulder and being configured tocooperate with the counter locking shoulder when the collar-shapedprojections of the adapter are adjacent to a closed end of the otherL-legs of the recesses in the side cheeks of the wiper blade holder. 45.A wiper blade assembly for cleaning a windshield, the assembly beingconnected to a wiper arm for driving the assembly, the wiper armincluding a wiper blade holder, the assembly comprising a wiper bladeincluding a wiper strip extending in a longitudinal direction and havingan wiping portion engageable with the windshield, a supporting elementconnected to the wiper strip, and a connecting element non-movablyconnected to the supporting element and including a pivot pin, and anadapter including a base and a pair of legs depending from the base,each leg being connected at one end to the base and having an oppositeend, a space being defined between the legs, at least one leg defining arecess having an opening in the opposite end and extending towards thebase, the adapter being supported on the connecting element with thebase covering a portion of the connecting element facing away from thewiping portion of the wiper strip and with each leg covering a lateralportion of the support portion and the opposite end of each leg facingtoward the wiping portion of the wiper strip, the adapter and theconnecting element being connected by moving the connecting element intothe space between the legs with the pivot pin moving into the recessfrom the opposite end of the at least one leg and towards the base, theadapter being supported on the pivot pin of the connecting element forpendulum movement relative to the wiper blade, the adapter beingnon-pivotably connected to the wiper blade holder of the wiper arm. 46.The assembly according to claim 45, wherein the recess includes a slotextending from the opening and having a closed slot end for receivingthe pivot pin, the slot having a narrowing to retain the pivot pin inthe slot adjacent the closed slot end, and wherein the leg is formed ofa flexible material such that the narrowing is expanded to allow thepivot pin to pass and flexes to return to a narrowed condition to retainthe pivot pin.
 47. The assembly according to claim 45, wherein theadapter is connected to the wiper blade holder of the wiper arm at leastpartially in an arm connection direction parallel to the base and to thelegs, and wherein the adapter further comprises a locking shoulderextending transverse to the arm connection direction, the lockingshoulder being engageable with a portion of the wiper blade holder toprevent relative movement of the adapter and the wiper arm in adirection opposite to the arm connection direction.
 48. The assemblyaccording to claim 47, and further comprising a tongue supporting thelocking shoulder, the tongue being flexible relative to the base to movethe locking shoulder from a locking position engageable with the portionof the wiper blade holder and a release position to allow relativemovement of the adapter and the wiper arm in the direction opposite tothe arm connection direction.